Save money when moving locally - Short HOW TO

Everybody knows moving is a big deal. There are so many things to think about months in advance, there are piles of stuff and clothes to pack, sometimes even a new housing to find. And on top of that, there's the problem of balancing your bank account with all the things that are happening all over the place. Luckily, you are not alone! This article is here to help, so relax, get yourself a cup of coffee and go through our simple hints and tips on how to save money when moving locally.

Save money by hiring friends

Let's start with the obvious thing - you are moving locally, so your friends will be of great help. Call them up well in advance and be sure to explain clearly how much work there will be. Be precise and don't forget to give them an exact date.

You will need a group of friends if moving locally by yourself

The good things about moving with your friends - you do not need to go through the process of picking a moving company. It is also great for saving money - usually, your friends will help for a lunch and a couple of beers. But remember - they will probably expect you to return the favor, so do be prepared for some heavy lifting sometime in the future!

The downside of this is that, at the end of the day, your friends are not professionals. You don't get an insurance - if something breaks, it's on you and your friends. Some people do prefer it this way, but it is good to keep all the facts in mind. Also, remember that moving is an exhausting process, and people can get hurt lifting heavy objects.

Save money when packing

Packing your things offers another great way to save money when moving locally, and even earn some as well! Go through your things and decide on what you need and what you don't. Then, it's time to make a garage or yard sale and get rid of the things you don't need. You can also donate your clothes to various organizations in your community.

When packing, you can opt not to use wrapping paper or bubble wrap, but instead, wrap your items in clothes and socks, bed linens and towels. That way you save money on material and pack both your items and clothes. But beware - there will be a lot of washing to do once you unpack, so weight both the costs of buying wrapping paper and doing the laundry and make your pick. Some people also advise using coffee filters, which are both soft and cheap.

Let USPS handle your books. After you have decided on which ones to sell and which ones are staying, pack them up and mail them to your address. It may take a bit longer for them to arrive, but you save on money and truck space, as well as relieve yourself of handling heavy boxes.

Don't buy boxes

There are many tips and tricks to packing

Sometimes the moving company will have boxes for you which you can rent or buy. However, they usually come at a steep price. Think about what kind of boxes you need, and prepare in advance. There are various ways in which you can get your boxes for free!

There are various ways in which you can get your boxes for free! Ask around the office or workplace - printer paper usually comes in big and sturdy boxes. Also, ask in stores and shops - they get their orders well packed and sometimes will gladly let you take the boxes off their hands. You may also want to try behind some mid-sized stores where they sometimes leave the boxes they do not need.

Finding boxes online can also be quite easy. Try social networking and letting your friends on social media know you're hunting for boxes. There are also websites such as Freecycle or MovingBoxesMart that are a great help.

Breakable items are the first to go

Since you are moving locally, a great idea is to move awkward and breakable items a week before your big day. That way, you don't have to fret about them being broken during the move, or people having to put in extra effort to get them onto the moving truck. Make sure not to waste your travels though - always try to plan something other to do in your new house while carrying things over. Plan where the furniture will go. Paint the walls. Check for the utilities. That way, you get double the worth of your gas money, and will not have to fret about many things after moving in.

Smaller truck means less expense

Moving large and awkward items prior to the moving day also saves a lot of space. Saved space means a smaller moving truck, and a smaller moving truck means less damage on your budget. Also, smaller trucks are easier to handle in the traffic, so that's an added bonus.

Plan ahead to save money when moving locally

Smaller truck means less money spent

One of the most important things to do when trying to save money when moving locally is planning.Careful, meticulous planning can not only save you time but money as well. Plan far ahead. Think about what items you will need during the moving day - so you won't need to rent new ones. As was mentioned before, let your friends know about your plans as well. Maybe some of them already have moving experience and their advice will be worth it.

Be thorough. Try making a backup plan if something doesn't go as intended. Pack your things well in advance, and don't forget to take care of your utilities. Some companies will refuse to shut your utilities if your billing cycle doesn't line up with your moving date, so many think about shutting them off early. Do you really need to see those cable shows in the weeks before the move? However, some utilities are a necessity, so maybe shutting electricity off is not the best idea.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks on how to save money when moving locally were a great help. Remember that moving does not need to be as stressful as many people make it out to be. With some careful planning, you can make it a memorable and reinvigorating experience. Good luck!